Dedication set for contemplative garden, honoring Sisters of Providence, on Trustees of Reservation property in Holyoke

View from the new contemplative garden area created along the banks of the Connecticut River in Holyoke, with money recently donated to The Trustees of Reservations by the Sisters of Providence. The garden is on the 26-acres of property the order of religious women donated to The Trustees in 2009. The garden will be dedicate on July 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Trustees of Reservations and the Sisters of Providence will gather at The Trustees’ “Land of Providence” property in Holyoke on July 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. to dedicate a new contemplative garden near the banks of the Connecticut River. The congregation of women religious helped create the new space in honor of their ongoing celebration of their 140-year presence in Holyoke.

The order donated the 26-acre “Land of Providence” property to the Trustees in 2009.

“They donated some money for us to create a contemplative, meditation space,” said Kate Preissler, engagement manager for the Trustees.

“It’s a beautiful garden area which overlooks the Connecticut River, and it will be open for anyone to use and enjoy.”

The property has been used to host yoga classes in the past, Preissler said.

“We hope to do more of that kind of thoughtful programming, like tai chi or meditation — anything that really fits with the spirit of the Sisters,” Preissler said.

The garden was designed using only native plants and features.

“The intention of it is that it will grow in, and have a more abundant look over the next three years,” Preissler said. “It’s very soft, it’s very subtle, gentle and curving. It’s meant to evoke a peaceful setting for contemplation.”

View of the new contemplative garden area created along the banks of the Connecticut River in Holyoke, with money recently donated to The Trustees of Reservations by the Sisters of Providence. Submitted

Sister Kathleen Popko, president of the Sisters of Providence. said this is part of the Sisters’ celebration of the arrival of the congregation in Western Massachusetts in 1873. Over the past 20 years, the Sisters, known for their established of area hospitals — now the Sisters of Providence Health System and part of Catholic Health East — and ministry to single mothers and orphans, have focused on three priority directions: women, Earth and the poor.
“In honor of our anniversary, we decided to fund initiatives in these three areas,” Popko said.

“We hope that this new contemplative space will encourage many to stop by, to rest a while, to pause to enjoy the beauty of our Earth and specifically, the Connecticut River and the lovely gardens that will grace this place.”

Popko noted its idyllic location.

“This property, across from Providence Behavioral Hospital, is situated along the Connecticut River, a lovely place to view the river and the wonderful habitat for birds and other animals,” she said.

Nuestras Raices (“Our Roots’), a community organization, utilizes much of the “Land of Providence” property for farming by residents of the Hispanic community in Holyoke.

The contemplative garden dedication takes place rain or shine, at the property which is on the divided section off Route 5 north, across from Providence Behavioral Hospital in Holyoke. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on “Land of Providence,” visit www.thetrustees.org.